Uconn

Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun, left, speaks to associate head coach George Blaney, right, during his first practice back with the team in Storrs, Conn., on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Blaney took over Calhoun's coaching duties for three weeks while Calhoun took a medical leave of absence. (AP Photo/Thomas Cain)

One of the truly good guys in college basketball, or in any sport, decided Thursday that it was time to move on.

George Blaney, who spent 43 years in college coaching and the last dozen helping UConn to a pair of national titles and three Final Four appearances, retired. The 73-year-old approached things on a daily basis since the day he turned 65. Thursday was the day he decided to end a career full of success, class and grace.

"I just started feeling that this was the right time," Blaney said. "I always thought I would know the right time. I'm happy with it.

"The game has always intrigued me. The game has been my life. The players and coaches that have been with me have made it very special. I hope that I was able to give back to it to some degree."

That is certainly the case. Known throughout the game as a great tactician, Blaney was also among the most respected men in the sport. He played one season in the NBA (1961-62 with the New York Knicks) before embarking on a coaching career that took him to Stonehill, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Seton Hall, Rhode Island (for six months) and, eventually, UConn alongside his friend of four decades, Jim Calhoun.

Calhoun and Blaney were completely disparate personalities who meshed to form a formidable team.

"We've been friends for so long, and the reason is the game," Blaney said. "It's intrigued the both of us. We could be together every day for years and then not be together for long periods of time and then pick up where we left off. It was always that kind of friendship.

"I'll never underestimate what he did for me in hiring me. I'll always be appreciative of that. It was a tough time. He showed a great deal of friendship and faith in me to hire me."

Blaney had a hugely successful 22-year run at Holy Cross, his alma mater, compiling a record of 357-276 at a school that has never offered

See BLANEY, Page 11B

athletic scholarships. He left in 1994 for Seton Hall and didn't find the same success, nearly fading into oblivion, working two years for the defunct International Basketball League before the short stint as an assistant at Rhode Island.

Blaney was out of the game when Calhoun hired him. Blaney went on to help develop the likes of Emeka Okafor, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon and Kemba Walker, and was instrumental in devising game plans. That doesn't take into account the 26 times Blaney took over for Calhoun when the former head coach missed complete games for either health reasons or an NCAA-imposed suspension.

"George had an awful lot to do with all that we were able to accomplish here, and I will cherish the time we had working together," Calhoun said in a statement. "He will always be very special to me, and I'm proud to call him my friend."

Blaney was often at the receiving end of Calhoun's in-game rants, whether deserved or not. He is credited with balancing Calhoun's fiery approach with his calm demeanor. Calhoun retired before the start of last season, but Blaney stuck around to help Kevin Ollie through his first season as a head coach.

Blaney briefly decided on a consultant's role when Ricky Moore was recently moved into an assistant coaching spot. There was no great change in the last couple of months that made Blaney decide to retire, just a feeling that it was time.

He and his wife, Maryellen, will live in their home on Cape Cod. Beyond that, there are few plans.

"I'm trying to figure out how you don't have to do something in a day," Blaney said. "There's not going to be a hard part. I'm not going to look back. If I do look back, it will be with great pleasure about all the things I put into it. I'm going to very much look forward. We have seven grandchildren. I'd like to see them much more than we have been able to to this point."

Blaney will hold especially tight to the three times he was able to step on the floor for the Final Four, winning twice. But there's nothing that truly sticks out for him. Too many memories, too much invested. He knows, however, that it was never actually a job.

"It never seemed like work," Blaney said. "I never remember having to go to work."

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.